(LINTON) - The Linton-Stockton Chamber of Commerce has several events planned for the weekend to help support the upcoming Linton Freedom Festival.

Sabrina Westfall, of the Greene County Daily World reports, events will start Friday with the Spring Fish Fry at the Roy Clark Building from 4 to 8 p.m.

The first of three motocross events this year will start Saturday at 11 a.m. with a practice session at Linton's Conservation Club, located on Park Road.

Registration for the Sunday races will begin at 7 a.m., with practice at 9 a.m. and races starting at 11 a.m.

Registration forms and information are available at www.lintonchamber.org, but riders must not sign the forms before race day.

"We average around 110 - 120 (riders) ... with ages from 4-year-olds to a couple guys that are over 60. The race runs the gamut of age and skill level, from beginning riders who want to try it out to the guys who are at expert level," organizer Scott Eichhorst explained.

Gate fees for race day on Sunday are $7 for adults, $4 for children under 10, and children under 5 are free.

Spectators are encouraged to bring their golf carts and ATVs to sit along the fence to watch events.

Refreshments will be available from the Baseball and Softball Complex Board, to help with the construction of a potential ball complex.

Eichhorst noted some changes had been made to the track recently to improve the flow of the race and make it easier for spectators to see the races.

"They (Dane Eichhorst and Dave Russell) opened up some parts of the track ... to increase the speed and the flow. They made it safer and more spectator friendly," Eichhorst explained.

He noted without the help of volunteers at the Linton Cycle Sales building the track the event would not be possible.

"Dane was out there with the dozer, with the help of Dave Russell. Dane basically built the track. There is a lot of help on the track from the Chamber guys too. There are a lot of unselfish people helping out," Eichhorst said.

Eichhorst noted while many of the racers are local, he estimates about 80 percent of riders participating in Linton Motocross are from out of town.

Chamber Executive Director Lynette Shelton said she has sent flyers and emails to Danville and Casey, Ill., Kokomo, Indianapolis and Vincennes to draw in more riders.
"I always want to stress, every dime we make out there stays in the community," Eichhorst noted.

He added the events also help local businesses because many out-of-town visitors stop at local restaurants.

Linton resident Anthony Morin said he is looking forward to racing at Linton Motocross this weekend.

"The track is great for a rider of any skill level and gives the locals a chance to be a part of something. The atmosphere at the track is like no other and is full of friendly, outgoing people," Morin said. "For a rider, it is a great place to race and be with friends that share the same interests."

Morin noted he was thankful for the volunteers at Linton Cycle Sales who built the track and organizers who put the event together.

Updates regarding the race can be found on Facebook at "Linton MX" or on the Linton-Stockton Chamber of Commerce Facebook page.